A COUPLE who admitted five charges of animal neglect and cruelty have been banned from keeping animals for life.

Martin Aldworth, 36, of Hall Terrace, Willington, and Denise Johnson, 34, of Hawes Crescent, Crook, were disqualified from keeping animals when they appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday.

At an earlier hearing, the pair had admitted causing unnecessary suffering to livestock they kept on allotments at Ivy Crescent, Roddymoor, near Crook.

The court heard that three red hens, one of which died, a red cockerel and a black female rabbit were recovered from the site by RSPCA inspector Gavin Butterfield last September.

Kevin Campbell, prosecuting, said the five charges represented a larger number of animals on the site which a vet considered were all severely underweight.

He said they appeared to have gone without food and water for at least two weeks.

Some were suffering from lice and were so weak they could not stand.

Claire Coates, in mitigation, said: "Mr Aldworth accepts he should have asked for help.

He had various health problems, and Miss Johnson offered to help but knew very little about animal husbandry, and also struggled to cope."

Aldworth and Johnson were also ordered to complete 12-month community orders and supervision orders and were placed on a 7pm to 7am home curfew for six months, backed by electronic tagging.

They were also ordered to pay £307.50 legal costs each.